Senegal is confronting an escalating mental health emergency as new studies reveal a troubling link between widespread violence, rising suicide risk, and deeply inadequate psychological support systems—particularly for women and young people.
A 2026 nationwide study has brought the crisis into sharp focus, showing that more than half of Senegalese respondents (52.76%) reported experiencing some form of violence, most commonly psychological and verbal abuse. The exposure to violence significantly heightens suicide risk, with 8.40 percent of respondents admitting to suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Mental health experts warn that these figures reflect a silent epidemic unfolding across homes, schools, and communities.
Women and youth are bearing the heaviest burden. The research identifies women aged 18 to 59, individuals with prior exposure to violence, and those already living with mental illness as the groups most vulnerable to suicide. Another 2025 study further revealed that four in ten women in Senegal reported experiencing psychotic symptoms at some point in their lives, linked to social pressure, economic stress, and lifestyle factors.
Beyond statistics, socio-cultural norms continue to deepen the crisis. In many Senegalese communities, the cultural value of “kersa”—which emphasizes discretion, silence, and family honor—often discourages victims of domestic or sexual violence from seeking help. Survivors may be pressured to remain silent or, in extreme cases, forced into marriage with their abusers to preserve family reputation, compounding psychological trauma and long-term mental distress.
Despite the scale of the problem, access to mental health care remains critically limited. Studies show that only 6.2 percent of people who experienced violence received any form of psychological support. The country faces a severe shortage of specialists, with just 0.33 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, most of whom are concentrated in urban centers such as Dakar, leaving rural populations largely underserved.
Health advocates say the lack of accessible services has turned preventable trauma into lifelong suffering for many Senegalese citizens.
In response, awareness initiatives have begun to emerge. Partnerships involving ECOWAS and Senegalese universities are promoting mental health education and research, while stakeholders confirm that Senegal’s first national mental health strategy is currently under development. Experts view this as a critical opportunity to integrate violence prevention, suicide risk reduction, and gender-sensitive mental health services into national policy.
As evidence mounts, public health specialists stress that Senegal can no longer afford to treat mental health as a private or secondary issue. They argue that addressing the epidemiology of violence and its psychological consequences is essential not only for individual well-being but for national stability and development.
For many observers, the message is clear: without a comprehensive, rights-based mental health policy, violence will continue to scar minds long after physical wounds fade.
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